Musical comedy ‘Nunsense' opens in High Springs

The musical comedy “Nunsense,” with Kelli McGill as Sister Mary Hubert, left, and Sandee Wiatrowski as the Reverend Mother, opens Friday at the High Springs Community Theater. (Courtesy of the High Springs Community Theater)

By Marisa RossCorrespondent

Published: Thursday, June 13, 2013 at 6:01 a.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, June 12, 2013 at 12:49 p.m.

Laughing isn't a sin, but in the zany world of the musical comedy “Nunsense,” which opens Friday at the High Springs Community Theater, it could warrant three Hail Marys.

Facts

‘Nunsense'

What: Musical comedy about the Little Sisters of Hoboken staging an unusual fundraiserWhen: 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays through July 7Where: High Springs Community Theater, 130 NE First St., High SpringsTickets: $15, $12 for seniors on Sundays, $9 all seats for ages 12 and youngerInfo: 386-454-3525, highspringscommunitytheater.com)

Creator Dan Goggin's award-winning play follows five nuns from the Little Sisters of Hoboken as they put on a fundraiser to bury sisters accidentally poisoned by the convent cook, Sister Julia (Child of God), says director Sue Addis.

The poor sisters have buried all but four of a large group of nuns already, but they need more money to bury the remaining nuns they have been keeping in the freezer.

“Everything that can go wrong, does go wrong,” says Alyssa Blitch, who plays Sister Mary Leo. “It's a chaotic fun mess of what happens when women try to run things.”

Kelly Addis, who plays Sister Mary Amnesia, says the audience can expect a production that “goes up and down the board” of comedy. The musical is part low-brow comedy and part slapstick with fast-paced humor in a Carol Burnett style. Along with a puppet at times, the actors also interact with audience members and comment on their reactions.

“It is a family-friendly wild romp, and it is nuntastic,” she says.

A deeper theme runs underneath the jokes, she adds. The nuns each aspire to be something bigger than they are, such as a ballerina or a star, and they are trying to find themselves, she says.

“Every character has their own little quirks, and you can learn different lessons from each one,” Addis says.

Blitch says the camaraderie between the cast is reflected in the show. Because it is a community theater and everyone volunteers their time, the actors truly love what they are doing and have become very close, she says.

“It's been peaches and rainbows and puppies. If we're genuinely having a good time, the audience will genuinely have a good time,” Addis says. “And we are.”

Arlene Levine, president of the High Springs Community Theater, say “Nunsense” is the first musical the theater has staged since its production of “Tom Sawyer” in 2007. She said they will produce more in the future because “people are lovin' it.”

Director Addis agrees. “It's good, clean family fun, and you'll leave with a smile on your face,” she says.

Performances begin at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 2 p.m. on Sundays, through July 7.

Tickets are $15 for adults, $12 for seniors 55 and older on Sundays, and $9 for children 12 and younger. Tickets are available at the box office 30 minutes before curtain time and online at www.highspringscommunitytheater.com.

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